Automatic centrifugal apparatus



Jan. 11, 1938. R; A. STEPS AUTOMATIC CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Filed Sept.29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Jan. 11, 1938. R. A. STEPS AUTOMATIC CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Fikled Sept.29, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jan. 11, 1938.

R. A. STEPS AUTOMATIC GENTR IFUGAL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 29, 1931 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 11, 1938. v R. A. STEPS AUTOMATIC CENTRIFUGALAPPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 29, 1931 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC 17 My inventionrelates to various automatic equipment which has proven useful inconnection with centrifugal machines, as used in sugar factories, .andalso other industries, and although this invention relates to thecoordination of various parts of such automatic equipment, it also addsnew apparatus for automatically charging centrifugals, whereas thisfunction heretofore has usually been manually performed.

Amongst other objects of this invention, one is to reduce the laborexpended in operating centrifugal machines, and to remove some of theharder and more burdensome tasks from the shoulders of the men, and toput these duties onto the new equipment parts which my inventioninvolves. Naturally, this results in lightening the work of the men, andeach operator can therefore handle a larger number of centrifugals thanbefore, resulting in cheaper factory operations, and less daily fatiguefonthe men. J

Broadly conceived my invention is subject to extensive modification andalteration without departing from the spirit thereof, and amongst otherchanges that will occur to those skilled in the art, I desire to pointout that although the particular embodiment which I am about to describeas illustrative of this invention, operates entirely on pneumaticprinciples, nevertheless I am aware that electric operation, or alsohydraulic operation, could easily be substituted either in whole or inpart for the pneumatic operation which I will illustrate.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly insection, illustrating a centrifugal equipped with one form of myautomatic apparatus, some portions of the equipment shown in this figurebeing distorted from their usual positions as found in practice, thisbeing for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the same herein; Fig.1a is a side view of part of the equipment shown in Fig. '1, and in thisFig. 1a, which is partly in section, I have taken the liberty ofsubstituting a centrifugal basket of the self-discharging type fortheflat bottom type shown in Fig. 1, in order to indicate that my inventionis equally applicable to both of these types, and also any other typesof baskets, which fact will be rather self-evident anyway to thoseskilled in the art. Fig. 1b is a-sectional view along line 17-12, Fig.1, taken in the direction of the indicating arrows, and showing ratherdiagrammatically, a portion of the equipment immediately below thisline'b b. Fig. 1c is a diagrammatic view indicating the toggle and leverarrangement commonly used for setting the centrifugal brake. Fig. id isa detailedview of an adjuster for opening the mouth of the chargingspout by various amounts. Fig. 1e is a detailed view of the chargingspout, the drip pan and its associated mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan viewof a 5 portion of the centrifugal curb, basket and spindle, showing aportionof my automatic equipment, or rather one form thereof, asoperatively mounted with reference to these parts. Fig. 3 is a sideview, partly in section, taken along line x=-x=*, Fig. 2, looking in thedirection of the arrows. Fig. 3a is an end view of the apparatus shownin Fig. 3, looking at same from the right hand side in Fig. 3. Fig. 3cis an enlarged view of a particular type of air valve which I use. Fig.3b is an enlarged view of a kick-off cylinder, which I will refer to ingreater detail later. Fig- 4 is an enlarged view of the starter switchbox shown in Fig. 1, some of the parts being shown in phantom inorder toillustrate other parts below. Fig. 4a is a fragmentary enlarged view ofa portion of the starter switch box mechanism. Fig. 5 is a side view,partly in section, of the equipment shown in Fig. 4, the view beingtaken from the right hand side in Fig. 4.

It will be understood that the usual centrifugal equipment illustratedin the drawings is standard, and is well known in the art, the sameconstituting no especial part of my invention, except as the variousfeatures common to all centrifugals are naturally combined andassociated with my invention when the latter is applied thereto. As astarting point in this description, I will therefore briefly describe acentrifugal proper, referring only broadly to the parts thereof, as 35there is no need of minutely describing what is well known and common;and I also wish to state that I intend this description to be typical ofall types of centrifugals, even though only one particular type isillustrated, as the average mechanic can readily understand how myautomatic equipment can be attached to the other types and makes ofcentrifugals found on the market.

Essentially the centrifugal consists in a basket, shown as a flat bottombasket i in Fig. 1, and as a self-discharging basket 1a in Fig. 1a. Theside cylindrical wall 2 of the basket is made of foraminous material,covered with fine screen, so that when the basket is rotated liquidswill rapidly pass through the screened side walls 2 under the influenceof centrifugal force. The basket issurrounded by the stationary curb 3which collects the liquid spun out of the basket, while the solid mattersuch as sugar, etc. COHBQtSuiIlSldG the basket, this being indicated byreference numeral I, Fig. 1, it being understood that this solid mattercollects in this manner because it is too coarse to pass through thescreened side wall 2 of the basket. The basket is rotated by spindie 6,which is attached to the basket through spider 8; and the spindle inturn is driven by any suitable means such as electric motor 1, Fig. 1,the starting switch for the latter being enclosed in a switch box 8, thelatter being diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. Theelectrical connections between motor 1 and switch box I are. not shown,as they are usually concealed in practice anyway, and are simplestandard connections with which all centrifugal mechanics are familiar.For the purpose of rapidly stopping the centrifugals after the power hasbeen cut off of motor I, there is provided braking apparatus inconnection with spindle 5, this consisting of brake drum 9, Figs. 1 and1b, also brake band it surrounding this brake drum. The drum, of course,is solidly keyed to spindle 5 to rotate therewith. The brake band ID, asis best seen in Fig. ID, has one end anchored to thestationary post II,which is rigidly mounted in place in any suitable manner, and the otherend of the brake band is fastened to a draw bar I! which moveshorizontally back and forth in bearings l3. As indicated in Figs. 1b and10, this draw bar I2 is connected through link it to a toggle lever I 5,one end of which is solidly keyed to the switch box shaft i 6, to turntherewith. This switch box shaft i6 passes through the switch box 8. Itoperates the switch mechanism therein, and is fastened at the front tothe hand wheel II, or any lever equivalent thereof. Shaft i6 is not onlysupported in bearings concealed in switch box 8, but also by bearing l8,Fig. 1b, which supports the rear end of shaft Hi. It will be obviousfrom Figs. 1, 1b, and 10, that when hand wheel I1, and shaft It, asviewed in Figs. 1 and 1c, are rotated counterclockwise, the toggle leverl5, and link M will pull draw-bar i2 toward the right as viewed in Figs.1b and 1c, and this will set the brake band i0 against brake drum 9 tostop the centrifugal. 0n hand wheel H, as seen prin-' cipally in Fig. 1,but also in phantom in Fig. 4, are noticed the large indicating lettersH, L, O, and B, and in Fig. 1, the hand wheel I! has been turned so thatthe B is in vertical line passing centrally through shaft l8. Thisposition of the B means that the brake is set on brake drum 9, or inother words that the centrifugal is stopped, or in the process ofstopping. When hand wheel I! is rotated clockwise from its positionshown in Fig. 1, first the 0, then the L, and finally the H on the handwheel, will successively pass through the central vertical line risingfrom shaft i6, or in other words these other letters will successivelyoccupy the position in which the B happens to be shown in Fig. 1. The 0indicates the "01! position of the hand wheel and switch box, meaningthat the brake is off and also that the power is off of motor I, so thatthis may be termed also the neutral position of the centrifugal. The Lindicates low speed for the centrifugal, and the H indicates high speed,the interconnections between switch box 8 and motor 1 being such thattwo speeds can be realized according to the position in which the handwheel is set. Therefore in rotating hand wheel ll from its positionshown in Fig. 1, clockwise, until H takes the position which B is shownto occupy. the successive steps will be, first, when 0 reaches thevertical position immediately above shaft it, both the brake and pow rwill be 011', second, when the L reaches this position, the motor I willrun and drive the centrifugal at low speed, and third, when the Hreaches this position, the motor and centrifugal will run at high speed.At the end of the centrifugal cycle, this hand wheel IT can be rotatedcounterclockwise until the 13 again reaches the vertical position aboveshaft it, as shown in Fig. 1, and in this position, the power will becut off and the brake will be set to stop the centrifugal.

The material to be centrifugally separated in basket I, is stored in alarge tank 19, Fig. 1, from which batches are periodically charged intothe basket through the mixer spout 20, see Figs. 1'

and la. Whenever the hand lever 2| is lifted, its link connections withthe cover cap 22 are such that the latter is lifted and the materialfrom tank is freely pours down through spout 20, and out of the mouth ofsame, into basket I, to supply the charge to the latter. Similarly whenhand lever 2| is lowered, the cover cap 22 again closes the mouth ofcharging spout 20, and the material ceases to flow from supply tank isinto basket I. This material, in tank is, usually consists of a mixtureof solid matter with liquid matter, the nature and texture of eachdepending on the industry in which the centrifugal is operating, andfor-illustration, if the industry is a sugar factory, the solid materialwill be sugar crystals and the liquid material will be syrup. Theseenter basket I, from tank I9 and spout 20, as a perfect mixture, thecharging of same into the basket occurring either when the basket is atrest or turning at low speed, and when the basket is then driven to highspeed, by turning hand wheel II to its H position, centrifugal forcewill drive the syrup outward through the screened cylindrical wall 2' ofthe basket, and the massed sugar crystals will collect in the basket asindicated at I, Fig. 1. When the separation is complete, the centrifugalwill be stopped by rotating hand wheel I! counterclockwise to its B orbraking position, and when the basket thus comes to rest, the solidmaterial I will be discharged therefrom, and a new charge of the mixedmaterial from tank I! will be taken into the basket by lifting lever 2!,as previously described.

At this point I would like to remark, that not only is the centrifugalproper, as just described,

old and well known equipment, but also it is old and well known toattach automatic timer equipment to such centrifugals for the purpose oftiming various cycle steps as required in the centrifuging of differentproducts. apparatus that constitutes the basis of this presentinvention, is in some respects combined and associated with thisautomatic timer control for centrifugals, I will now briefly describethe latter, but will do so only broadly, and with omission of alldetails, as the details constitute no part of this present invention.The timer control apparatus can assume many different forms, to all ofwhich my present invention can be readily applied or attached withsimple or suitable modifications to whatever extent may be required, butfor the purposes of this description I have selected the type of timercontrol apparatus which is fully shown and described as to all itsdetails in my co-pending application Serial No. 515,011, filed February11th, 1931, and entitled "Master cycle control apparatus," to whichco-pending application reference should be made for all details notmentioned herein.

The basis of such. timer control is that it auto- In so far as the.

ing the turning off of the spray; third, that prematically measures thetime intervals for different cycle steps, and according to theparticular industry the cycle steps may be very few or they may be many.In the sugar industry as an example, these steps often consist of thefollowing: When basket I has'been started turning with its freshlyreceived charge of material therein, and after a certain time haselapsed to permit the mother syrup to spin outof the basket into curbing3, from which it is drained through opening 23, Fig. 1, and. diverted bygutter 24 into trough 25, it is desirable to apply a water sprayagainst.material 4 in the basket, and this spray is emitted from nozzle 26. Thepurpose of the water is to wash the last'traces of syrup out of therevolving sugar mass 4, and the water is supplied to nozzle 26 from anautomatic wash water valve 21, the latter being located between nozzle26 and supply header 28, the latter supplying the water under constantpressure so that the quantity of water emitted through nozzle 26 willdepend on the length of time the valve 21 is held open. In other words,up to this point there are two timed cycle steps, namely the timedinterval before the water commences to flow from nozzle 26, and second,the timed interval during which the water flows from this nozzle, thisbeing terminated by' closing of .the valve 21. The next timed cycle stepis often the shifting of syrup gutter 2t, from it's full line positionshown in Fig. 1, to its dotted'line position 24', where this gutterdiverts the liquor drained from the curbing, into trough 26', instead-oftrough 25. The object of thus shifting gutter 24 about its shaft 21', isto permit a separation between the original mother syrup which collectsin trough 25, and the more pure wash liquor which collects in trough26'. For various reasons this shifting of trough 24 should occur at afixed time with reference to the starting and stopping of the spraythrough nozzle 26,

and therefore the shifting of this trough, when" automatically performedin manner which I will soon briefly describe, constitutes another timedstep in the spinning cycle. In like manner, and without going intodetails, it is well understood that after the spray stops at nozzle 26,a definite timed period should elapse before the power is cut off andthe brake applied to stop the centrifugal.

In other words, in the sugar spinning cycle just described, there arefour intervals, or cycle steps, that in modern practice are beingaccurately timed as it is found that this improves the character of theproducts handled by the centrifuge. To summarize, these four steps, ortimed intervals, are, first, the interval preceding the turning on ofthe spray from nozzle 26; second, that precedceding the shifting ofsyrup gutter '24; and, fourth, thatpreceding the stopping of thecentrifugal. Of course, more timed steps can be added, and some of thosementioned in the preceding example can be omitted, all depending on thenature of work, and product. In modern industry today, when these cyclesteps are thus timed, it is customary to also perform these stepsautomatically, as this is the easiest way to impress the accurate timeintervals upon the mechanism,

and for this purpose there is used some sort of centrifugal timercontrol,one form of which I have indicated diagrammatically by referencenumeral 29 in Fig. 1, and from this timer control there are therespective time intervals are completed. As previously indicated, I amillustrating herein only one type of timer with its particular kind ofconnections to the centrifugal, but this is intended only as anillustration, as any other type or kind 5 of cycle timer, whatsoever,'can be substituted therefor, at least as far as concerns its associationand combination with this present invention.

The cycle timer 29 is seen to consist of a cabinet 30 having four dialsthereon, which for convenii0 ence have been respectively designated asW0, WP, SG, POBO. up any suitable way, preferably to show periods oftime, and on each dial there is a pointer 3| to These dials aregraduated in,

indicate the particular time interval for which 15 each dial is set.Also for each dial and pointer there is an adjusting knob or lever 82,which is internally associated and connected not only with itscorresponding pointer, but also with the conthis knob 32 changes thetime period corresponding to its dial, this change being indicated bythe movement of its pointer to the new time setting to which adjustmentis made. As previtrol parts in the cabinet, so that the turning of 20ously indicated, this particular cycle timer hap- 25 pens to workpneumatically, and I will therefore describe its operations on thisbasis, but I wish, -to point out again that this is only illustrative,

and other types of cycle timers operating, either as evidenced by theclosing of the cover cap 22 over the mouth of this chute or spout, orelse it may be taken as the moment when the centrifugal speed controlleris turned to its high running speed position. Prior to this moment, thetimer parts, not shown, but located in cabinet 30, and 45 correspondingto this centrifugal, are at rest, and are not performing any timingfunction for the centrifugal; but when this moment for starting thetiming cycle is reached, compressed air is supplied through copper tubeI05, in a manner 50 that I will subsequently describe, but thisadmission of the compressed air through this tube I05,

to the cabinet 30, causes the timer parts in the cabinet to commencetiming off the cycle periods for this centrifugal. When these parts havetimed ofi the period for which pointer 3| is set on the first dialmarked W0, and meaning water on, compressed air is released from thecabinet through tube 52, into the upper cylindrical portion 4| of thewater valve 21, and through suitable plunger mechanism not shown, butlocated in cylinder 4|, the washwater valve 21 is opened and the liquidspray commences to flow upon product 4 in basket this operationcommencing at the time period for which the first dial marked WP,meaning washing period, the 70 is released compressed air from cylinder4| through tube 52, and the wash water valve 21 automatically closes,thereby terminating the washing period, and the wash fluid ceases toflow from nozzle 28. Similarly, when the period elapses for which thepointer Si is set on the third dial, marked 8G, meaning syrup gutter,compressed air is released through tube ll, into cylinder 60, whichthrough its connections, in an obvious manner shifts syrup gutter IIfrom its full line position shown in Fig. 1, to its dotted line position24', for purposes previously described. And finally, when the last timeperiod elapses for which the pointer 3! is set on the fourth dial markedPOBO, meaning power 0! and brake on", compressed air is released throughtube 1i into the upper part of cylinder 12, above the double-actingpiston 13, and through piston rod 14 and crank Ii, the latter beingrigidly keyed to switch box shaft I, this shaft I. is rotatedcounter-clockwise, and as previously set forth this results in shiftinghand wheel I! from its H position to its B position shown in Fig. 1,which cuts off the power and applies the brake to stop the centrifugal,thereby terminating the timed cycle impressed by the timer control 29.After this, and in manner which I will presently describe, thecompressed air is released from tube II, and in view of the automaticactions thereby caused in the parts withincabinet I0, all these partscorresponding to this centrifugal automatically reset themselves atzero, and the compressed air is released from tubes 58 and II, thespring 6| in cylinder 60 automatically retrieves syrup gutter 24 to itsfull line position as shown in Fig. 1,

.and also the compressed air is exhausted from cylinder 12, freeing thesame so that hand wheel II can be freely operated to start the nextcycle by turning to its L position. In other words, the last cycle isfinished so far as timer is is concerned, and all the parts are reset toinitial position in readiness for the next cycle. In Fig. 1, I haveshown additional tubing outlets I Iii, 52', i9, and II, as entering thecabinet 30, but this is rather immaterial to the present invention, as

these last-named tubing outlets are intended to connect to othercentrifugals not shown, but expected to operate in the same group withthe particular centrifugal shown in Fig. 1. These other tubing outletsto the other centrifugals, are peculiar to the particular type of timercontrol which I have elected to illustrate for purposes of example, butno further discussion of the other centrifugals or of the other tubingoutlets thereto, is necessary, because any simple timer control, of anysort, and individual to a single centrifugal, is suilicient for thepurposes of this present invention, as will appear from subsequentdescription.

I have now described the general nature of a centrifugal machine. withordinary automatic timer control applied thereto, all this beingconceded to be old and well known prior to this present invention, andfrom this point on I will now describe my added automatic centrifugalapparatus and will indicate its connection and cooperation with theusual centrifugal parts, and with the timer control, all of whichthereby broadly becomes a portion of the present invention.

One of the objects of this new automatic apparatus is to provide for theautomatic charging of the centrifugal, this to take the place of. themanual charging which was the usual practice prior to this invention.Broadly speaking automatic charging consists in moving some part ormember from one position to another, which through suitableinterconnection, or else directly, opens the mouth of some sort ofcharging chute or spout, equivalent to spout 20 in the appendeddrawings, and when the mixture has then flowed in accurate suiiicientquantity into basket I, the

.stant than it does.

2| by lifting the cover cap 22 oil! of same, and

than when sufilcient charge has entered basket I, lever 2! is againautomatically lowered to close cover cap 22 over the mouth of chargingspout 2.. Obviously however the arrangement would be somewhat differentin other oentrifugals where the details of the charging spout, etc. aredifierent.-

In the subsequent description it will be noticed that this measuring ofthe correct amount of charge into the basket, is not accomplished on atime basis, i. e., by measuring the time that the charging spout isopen. In other words, this charging peration is not, and probably cannot.be handled on a time basis by simply adding an additional function ortime period to the timer control 29. The cycle steps that this timercontrol governs are all of a nature that depend for their accuracy andeffectiveness, on time principles, but time cannot be used as the basisfor measuring the correct charge into the basket. This is because afixed and desired volume of charge must each time be takeninto thebasket, in order to completely fill it, but not waste any by throwing itover the top of the basket into curb I, as would occur if too large acharge were taken. That the accurate charge cannot be taken on a timebasis, is apparent from the fact that the height of the mixture in tankis varies incessantly, so that the pressure, and consequently the speedof the charge as it leaves spout 20 will vary with the level of themixture in tank l9, and with such varying speed the volume of chargewould obviously not be constant fora constant time period such as isgiven by time controller 29. In fact the variations in the chargingwould be prohibitive because sometimes tank i9 is full and the mixtureflows very rapidly from spout 20, whereas at other times this tank ispractically empty and the mixture flows but slowly from the spout.Besides in most industries, the nature and viscosity of the mixture intank I! varies considerably, so that this would also sheet the velocityof flow through spout 20, even if the mixture level in tank I9, andtherefore the pressure, remained more con- I'his illustrates why aconstant volume of charge cannot be taken into the basket by measurementof a time interval, such as could be easily realized by expanding thetimer control 2! to include another dial. The timing principle formeasuring the volume of charge, being impracticable, I have adopted aprinciple of volumetric measurement which gives much better and moreaccurate measurements for the charge under any and all conditions ofvariations of tank pressure and viscosity as indicated above.

Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 3:: indicate quite clearly one type or form ofequipment embraced in my invention for accurately measuring the amountof charge taken into the basket, and this equipment automatically opensthe charging spout 20, and again automatically closes it when thecorrect amount of charge is in the basket. The charge measuringequipment may take on various forms as to detail and construction, butin general consists of some sort of housing or container it fastenedpreferably to the stationary I top memberj '.v of curbing .3, andoverhanging associated with this housing 35,-is a thickness top or capmember of basket 'In'some way measuring shoe 36, which. during'theprocess of taking the charge is pressed upon by the sugar or material 4in the basket, which revolves indirection of arrow A, see Fig. -2. .Itwill be understood that whenautomatic cha equipment is used, the basketI is in some way caused to rotate .at moderately low speed while thecharge is being taken in, and in view of the centrifugal force of suchrotation, the charge instantly climbs up on the cylindrical screen orwall 2 first lying along a vertical line 4', Fig. 3,

when the amount of charge is only slight, and

as the charge continues to flow into the revolving basket, the line 4',representing the inner surface of the charge, advances successively to 44 and 4 and when it gets to about line 4 corresponding quite closely tothe inner perimeter of the basket cap I, the full charge is in thebasket, and no more should be entered. bviously, as this thickening ofthe charge wall proceeds from screen 2 inward,'the charge will dragagainst the thickness measuring shoe 36, and press the latter away fromscreen 2, and by suitably hanging or, suspendingthis thickness measuringshoe 36, the movement of the latter under the increasing thickness ofthe charge can be taken advantage of to automatically close the chargingspout when the correct charge is in the basket. For this purposethe'thickness measuring shoe 36 can be hung in various ways, and theparts, or mechanism, in container 35, for coacting with shoe 36, to cutoff the charging, can also vary considerably.

However, I have found that the construction illustrated, comprehensivelycovers many re quirements, and operates with good satisfaction andpractically constant dependability. In this arrangement 01' my inventionshoe 36 is clamped to the vertical shaft 31 by means of nut 38 actingthrough the split hub 39, see Fig. 2, of the shoe casting. The relativecircumferential position at which shoe 36 is fastened to shaft 31 can bechanged by loosening .nut 39, rotating shoe 36 to its desired positionon shaft 31, and then reclamping by means of nut 38. It is this shiftingof the position of shoe 36 on shaft 31, that comprises the adjustmentthat I resort to in this form of the equipment, for controlling theparticular thickness of wall charge 4, taken into the basket. Verticalshaft 31 is free to rotate in bearing 40, which comprises part ofcontainer 35, and to the upper extremity 31 of the shaft, is fastened bymeans of pin 42 a handle, or charging lever 43, having the yoked end 44,this lever being best seen in Figs. 2, 3, and 3a. This lever, because ofits connection with shaft 31, and the latters freedom to revolve inbearing 40, can move in either direction as indicated by arrow C, Fig.2, and because of its being fastened to shaft 31 by pin 42, this levercan also move up or down as indicated by arrow D, Fig. 3; or in otherwords this lever has the possibility of compound movement, as justindicated. In container 35, as viewed in Figure 3, are locatedelectrical switches, or air or water valves, according to the design anddesires of the builder or user of this equipment, the purpose of theseparts being taco-act with the other elements for producing, orterminating the charging or other functions; but having elected toillustrate the equipment as pneumatically operated, these parts arerepresented in the drawings as airv valves 45 and the 43. Compressed airis supplied to both of these valves through their top inlet openings, bymeans of supply connections 41 and 48 attached thereto, and coming froma compressor or supply tank not shown. The p pose of the first valve 45,is, upon lifting of its valve stem 49, to release compressed air throughtube 50, into the lower end of cylinder 6|, see Fig. 1, for liftingpiston 52 and piston rod 63, the latter being fastened to charging lever2|, to thereby lift this lever, and its interconnected cover cap 22,thereby permitting the mixture to flow from spout 20 into the slowlyrevolving basket, to charge the same, as previously described. 80 longas the valve stem 49,- of valve 45, is held in its lifted position, thevalve 45 will be held open, and the compressed air will hold piston 52*,in cylinder in an upper position, approximately as indicated by dottedlines, at 52, in Fig. 1. When valve stem 49 is released however, thesupply of air is cut off by valve 45, and the air under piston 52instantly exhausts backward through tube 50 and valve '45, and becauseof the weight of lever 2|, together withthe weight of cover cap 22, andthe interconnected links, plus the added force, if necessary, ofcounterweight 54, the lever 2|, piston 52', and cover cap 22 rapidlyfall, to close the mouth of smut 20, and thereby terminate the chargingof the mixture through same into basket In other words, the lifting ofvalve stem 49, of valve 45, opens the charging spout to start andcontinue the charging so long as valve stem 49 is held upward, but assoon as it is released, this valve stem drops in the valve body, and thecover cap 22 promptly lowers and closes the charging spout, to therebyterminate the charging.

The detailed construction of valve 45, and also in fact of air valve 46,because these are identical, is clearly indicated in the sectional viewshown in Fig. 3c, and description of same will now be given. This valveconsists of a valve body 55, preferably cylindrical in shape, and havingan upper necked portion 55', of reduced diameter, and threaded asindicated, this neck portion passing through the top of container 35,and being fastened thereto by nut 56, as indicated in Figure 3a.. A hole51 of variable diameter, passes entirely through this valve body alongthe axis of same, and as part of this hole or bore there is located at58 an upwardly facing valve seat, and at 6| a downwardly facing valveseat. Between these two seats the valve body is provided with a sideoutlet opening 62, to which tube 50 is connected through the usualcompression fitting 63, this tube 50 being the one that connects withcylinder 5| as previously described. Also below valve seat 6|, the valvebody is provided with two exhaust openings 64, the function of whichwill presently be described. In the valve bore 51 rides a stempreviously defined by reference numeral 49, and at 49' this stemhas anupwardly pointing valve face adapted to register with valve seat 6|, andabove this the valve stem also has a downwardly pointing valve face 49adapted to register with valve seat 58. As indicated in Fig. 3c thedistance between the valve faces 49' and 49 on the stem is slightlylarger than the distance between valve seats 58 and 6| in the body, sothat valve stem 49 is free to move a I short distance up and down invalve bore 51, the

upward movement beinglimited when valve face 49 butts against seat 5|,and the downward movement being limited when valve face 49 butts againstseat 58. I In other words, when the valve 6 v I r 2,100,009

stem 49 is lifted to its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 30, thisvalve is closed at seat BI and is open at seat 58, and in this positionthe compressed air supplied through tube 41 into the upper inlet end ofbore 51, freely passes down through the valve past seat 53 and outthrough tube ISO to lift piston 52* in cylinder II, and permit thecharging of the basket to continue so long as valve stem 49 is held inthis position. But as soon as the upward push on valve stem 49 isreleased, this member or mechanism being obviously of the type that maybe described as normally self-retrieving to its initial or normalposition, instantly falls in bore 51, closing the valve at seat 58, andopening it at seat Si, by which action the charging of the basketinstantly ceases because the compressed air under piston 32',immediately exhausts itself bypassing backward through tube 50 intovalve 43, this air escaping downward past valve seat 6|, now open, andthence outward through the two exhaust openings 64. The compressed airbeing thus released from under piston 52* in cylinder 5!, the

interconnected parts drop under their own neath piston 52", then thiscan be compensated for by making piston 52* double acting, and supplyingeither a lower air or water pressure into the top of cylinder ii,through connection 65, shown in Fig. 1, and if this back pressure becreated by water from an open tank, then the restrictive influence ofthe water, which flows much slower than air, introduces a nice damperingaction, which in some designs is desirable, in case a tendency of thecompressed air is noted to throw the parts up and down too swiftly.

I will now describe how valve stem 49, in container 35, Fig. 3, isautomatically raised to open the charging spout 20, and is laterautomatically released or dropped to close the charging spout andterminate the charging, when the correct amount of charge has been takeninto basket I as determined by the thickness measuring shoe 36.Referring to Fig. 3, there is pivotally mounted on pin 66 a lever 61which passes out through an opening 68 in the side wall of container 35.When the right hand end of this lever, as viewed in Fig. 3 is lifted, itlifts the valve stem 49, of valve 45, and puts it in the position shownin Fig. 3c, and when this lever 61 is lowered at its right hand end, itdrops, by slight rotation around the pin 66, until the lever rests onthe ledge comprising the bottom of opening 68 in Fig. 3. In this latterposition, not actually shown in the figures, the lever 6! fallssufficiently away from valve stem 49 so that the latter completelycloses at the upper valve seat 59, and there is a little clearance toboot between lever 61 and valve stem 49. This lever 61 is lifted at itsright hand end, to engage and lift valve stem 49, in the followingmanner.

When the man operating the centrifugal has started the latter turning atmoderately slow speed and desires to start the charging action, he takeshold of the outer bailed end 69 of lever 43 and swings it downward, andalso inward toward container 35, in the direction of arrow C, Figs. 2and 3a. In the last-named figures, and in particular in Fig. 3a, theouter extremity 81', of lever 81, is noticed, and it is also noticedthat a hardened steel clip member 10, fastened to the bottom of lever43, and carried thereby. hooks under the outer extremity 91, of lever91," as indicated at 19', Fig. 3a. The lever 43 being vigorously pulledin an upward direction by spring 19, fastened to the outside ofcontainer 33 as indicated in the drawings, and also fastened to lever 43by pin 11 driven into the latter, naturally imparts this I vigorousupward pull to the outer lever extremity 91', thereby lifting this lever31 to raise the valve stem 49, and hold this valve stemlifted, under thestrong action of tension spring 16. From descriptions previously given,it is now self-evident that this movement of lever 43 in this directionC, finally results in opening cover cap 22 off volving charge wall inthe basket, revolving in direction of arrow A, Fig. 2, reaches andcontacts with the thickness measuring shoe 36, and thereafter as thewall thickness in the basket continues to increase, because of continuedflow of the charge into the revolving basket, the charge obviouslyrotates shoe 33 in direction of arrow D, Fig. 2, the vertical shaft 31rotating with it, and obviously causing lever 43 to rotate, or move awayfrom container 35, in direction opposite to arrow C' in Fig. 2, or inother words in direction of arrow C in Fig. 3a, until the steel clip I0passes completely out from under lever extremity 61', and releases thislever B! from the upward pull of spring I6. This disengagement of thelever extremity 81', occurs at approximately the point where thethickness measuring shoe 33 has been rotated outwardto correspond withthe full charge thickness 4, which just charges the basket nice andfull, as previously indicated, so that when the shoe 38, and the wallthickness, reaches this limit 4-", the lever 81 has been released fromthe upward pull of spring 19, and being so released, this lever 91,drops away and frees valve stem 49, of valve 45, which valve stem dropsin the valve body, and as previously described this results in closingthe charging spout, and terminates the charging action, when and becausethe thickness measuring shoe 36 reached the limiting position 4 forwhich it was set. Obviously the thickness of the charge in basket I, atwhich the steel clip 10 fastened to lever 43, just snaps out from underlever extremity 61', depends upon the setting of shoe 36 on its shaft31, and as previously indicated this setting can be easily changed byloosening nut 39, swinging the shoe to any desired position on shaft 31,and then reclamping by means of nut 39. It is in this manner that theadjustment for wall thickness, can be changed to suit any desired amountof charge, of course not exceeding the maximum that the basket can hold.Also, for the purpose of quickly pulling lever 81 away from under valvestem 49 as soon as the lever is released from the steel clip I0, andalso for other purposes to be presently described, I supply spring 19,see Fig. 3, a portion of same being broken away in this figure touncover parts below. The left end of this spring is anchored tocontainer 35 by means of pin 30 driven therein, and the right end ofthis spring is fastened to pin 3|, driven into the lower end of lever31,

I tions which will be presently referred to.

and thereby constantly pulling same in a clockwise direction withreference to pin 86, on which lever 61 rides. This spring 18, therefore,aids in positively pulling lever 81 clear from valve stem 48, when leverv61 is released for this purpose. This spring 18 however also hasadditional func- In concluding the description of this portion of theautomatic charging equipment, I particularly desire to point out thatthe apparatus thus far disclosed is a typical example of a larger classof automatic charging devices, all of which are subject to my invention,and which are characterized by the fact that at the'place where themeasuring shoe 36 is swung inward to its limiting position in directionof arrow D, Fig. 2, the connection, whatever its nature may be, is made,that automatically opens the charging spout to start the charging. Inthe example of my equipment shown in the figures, the shoe 86 is swunginward, toward screen 2, in direction of arrow D, by manual manipulationof lever 43, and the previously described connection with valve 45 forthereby opening the charging spout 28 is effected -herein illustrated,but always by virtue of the thickness measuring shoe approaching itslimiting position by movement toward screen 2 in direction of arrow D,Fig. 2. The form of my invention herein illustrated however, issuflicient to support the broad claims hereto appended, covering thefeaturejust referred to, and I consider the same important in itspossibilities and development.

With a two-speed motor 1, and switch box 8, of the type previouslydescribed, which causes the motor and centrifugal to run at a relativelylow speed when starting wheel ii is turned to its low position, and thencauses it to rotate at a higher speed when starting wheel I! is turnedto its H or high position, it is usual for the automatic chargingoperation thus far described to have occurred with the motor andcentrifugal running on the low or L speed. But as soon as the chargingspout 28 is closed, to terminate the charging, two things are desirable,namely, that the timer control 28 should commence tim ng off the cyclesteps that will ensue, and also the switch control 8 should be promptlyshifted from its low speed to its high running speed position toeffectively centrifuge the product. With the particular form ofequipment that I have illustrated in the drawings, both of theseoperations are performed automatically, but by simple modification ofthis equipment, one or the other of these operations could be omittedif. the same is not needed, as for instance if the type of centrifugalis such as to have can one speed, namely a high speed, and no low speed,then the feature of automatically cutting from low speed to high speedcan be omitted, but the other feature of automatically puttingthecentrifugal under the influence of the cycle timer 28, at the momentwhen matically performed. namely, the automatic cutting of thecentrifugal from low to high speed, and also the automatic starting ofthe cycletimer 28, at the instant when the charging of the basketceases. I

When spring 18, Fig. 3, pulls lever 61 clockwise around pin 66, at themoment when the charging action closes down, the following actions, vnotpreviously described, also occur. By means of pin 8|, carried in thedepending leg of lever 81, as illustrated in Fig. 3, there is attachedto this lever 61 another member 82, which is free to rotate bothclockwise and counterclockwise, at least a small amount, on pin 8|, andtherefore on the lever 61 which carries it. When the charging actionterminates by lever 43 releasing lever 61 as previously indicated, sothat spring 18 pulls member 82 toward the left as viewed in Fig. 8, theshoulder 82', of member 82, butts against the bottom lip of weightedmember 83 which is mounted to freely rotate. within rather narrowlimits, about pin 84, which is driven into the container 35. The weightdistribution in member 83 is such that when free it normally rotatescounterclockwise, being arrested however by stop pin 85 driven intocontainer 35, and serving to normally hold member 83 in its positionshown in Fig. 3. When spring 18 however pulls member 82 slightly to theleft, the shoulder 82' obviously engages the bottom lip of member 83,and rotates the latter clockwise around pin 84, thereby engaging thebottom extremity of valve stem 86, of the air valve 46, and this airvalve is thereby opened in the same manner as was previously describedfor the opening of valve 45 by the lifting of its stem 48. The valve 46being thus opened by thepuil of spring 18, the compressed air suppliedthrough tube 48 to valve 46,.

is instantly released and transmitted through tube 81, into the lowerend of cylinder 12, as seen in Fig. 1, and the compressed air thusentering below the double-acting piston 13 in this cylinder, obviouslypulls crank 15 clockwise, thereby rotating switch shaft I6, and as aresult the controller wheel H, which as previously described, wasstanding on its L, or low speed running position, is swung aroundclockwise to its ,H, or high speed running position, and the centrifugalrapidly accelerates to its maximum high running speed.

By referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, I will describe how this action ofturning the switch shaft i6 from theL to the H position, also results inreleasing compressed air to tube I85 to start the timer parts in thetimer control 28 upon their dutyof timing the cycle steps of thecentrifugal. Fig. 4 shows the controller wheel 11 in phantom, togetherwith some other parts, most of which are in some way operatively carriedby the front wall 8' of switch box 8, see also Fig. 5. A bellshapedlever 88 is free to rock on pin 8|, the latter being bolted to the frontface 8' of switch box 8, as indicated in Fig. 5. At one end this lever88 has a roller 82 carried therein, and at the other end it is fastenedto the vertical pin 83 by means of the smaller pin 84. The vertical pin83 has a spring 85 encircling the same, and also it terminates at thetop in an enlarged head member 86. Lever 88 also has a hardened steelclip'81 attached thereto. Below lever 88 there is'another member 91 freeto swivel back and forth on pin 88, which is also permanently fastenedand bolted to the front wall 8', of switch box 8, as indicated in Fig.5. This member 81' is Fig. 4, that this member always tends by itsweight to turn clockwise about pin 08, this tendency however beingarrested because it normally contacts with, and rests upon, a small stoppin 99, fastened to wall 8' of the switch box. Member 91' is alsoequipped with a hardened steel clip I00, adapted to co-act with steelclip 81 of lever 90, in a manner and for a purpose that will bepresently described; and projecting from its lower portion this member01' also has a tripper fin IOI, the purpose of which will also presentlybecome clear. Mounted on the pin I02, which is permanently bolted to thefront face of the switch box, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. is another leverI03, free to rotate within moderate limits around this pin I02. At itsopposite end, this lever is equipped with the hardened steel clip I04,and as seen in Fig. 4a, the vertical pin 83 passes freely through anaperture I00 in this lever, the head 98 of this pin being of sumcientdiameter to prevent the pin from dropping through this aperture I06. Thecompression spring 95, which encircles pin 93, presses upward againstthe bottom of lever I03, because this spring is restrained between thislever I03 and the cross pin 84 which fastens the vertical pin 83 tolever 00. To the left of lever I03, as viewed in Fig. 4, is another pinI01 securely bolted and fastened to the front face 8' of the switch box,as indicated in Fig. and on this pin I01 is carried a member I08 havingthe heavily weighted tripper lug I 09, which constantly tends to rotatethis member I08 counter-clockwise. To this member is also fastened thehardened steel clip IIO, which co-acts with clip I04 of lever I03, in amanner and for a purpose that will presently be described. Above leverI03 is mounted on bracket III another air valve I I2, the constructionand operation of which is in all respects identical with the previouslydescribed air valve 45, illustrated in Fig. 3c. Compressed air issupplied into the top inlet end of this valve II 2 through supplyconnection H3, and when the valve stem H4 is raised to open the valve,the compressed air is instantly turned on and passes outward throughtube I05, this tube beingconnected as previously described, to the cycletimer control 29, the connection being best seen in Fig. 1. Whencompressed air is thus released from valve II2 to timer 29. the lattercommences to time oh the respective cycle periods for the centrifugal,as has been previously described. I might add at this point that it isthe automatic lifting of lever I03, against the bottom extremity ofvalve stem II4, as indicated in Fig. 4a, that thus opens the valve I I2and puts the centrifugal under the timing influence of the timer 29 forpacing the centrifugal automatically through its various cycle steps aspreviously described. Before describing how this all occurs by rotationof the shaft I6 and hand wheel I1, I should first state that theannularly shaped cam member H5, having the radially enlarged cam humpH6, is securely fastened to the neck I1 01' hand wheel I1, and sincethis neck is itself securely fastened to the switch shaft I 0, itfollows that this cam H5 rotates back and forth as a unit with the shaftI6 and hand wheel I1. The relative position indicated in Fig. 4, betweenthis cam H5, and the various hand wheel markirigs H, L, O, and B, is thecorrect position as maintained in practice. To the hand wheel properthere is also bolted an inwardly projecting actuating pin II8, shown inFigs. 4 and 5, the purpose of which will presently appear.

Fig. 4 shows the various levers and parts in the position which theyoccupy just prior to the instant when the hand wheel reaches its fullhigh speed running position. The latter will be reached when the radialline it, passing centrally through H, exactly reaches the vertical lineY passing upward through the center of shaft I6. In other words, handwheel I1 is shown in Fig. 4, in an intermediate position, having leftits L or low speed running position, and presumably being rotated in aclockwise direction under the influence of cylinder 12, and the full H,or high speed running position, having not quite been reached. In thisposition it will be seen that the tripper pin II8, carried by wheel I1,has not quite engaged the tripper lug I09, of member I08, but is aboutto do so in the course of the clockwise rotation of wheel I1. At thispresent instant, the cam hump H0, by acting against roller 92 or lever90, has lifted the left hand end of the latter up in its illustratedposition, and this in turn has lifted pin 93 upward through lever I 03,and has vigorously compressed the compression spring 95 up against thebottom of lever I03. At this moment lever I03 cannot rise however aboveits position shown in Fig. 4, because clip IIO on member I08 buttsagainst clip I04 of lever I03, obviously preventing spring 85 fromlifting lever I03. In the next instant however, during the clockwiserotation of hand wheel I1 to its full high speed running position, thetripper pin I I8 will contact with tripper lug I09or member I08, and byrotating this member clockwise around its supporting pin I01, willrelease the engagement between clip H0 and clip I04, and this willpermit spring 95 to instantly push'lever I03 upward, and in view of therelationship between this lever and the bottom of valve stem II4, asshown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 4a, this valve stem II4 will be instantlylifted, and by valve actions previously described, the compressed airwill immediately pass out through tube I05, and start the cycle timer29, on its timing operations as previously described. This it will beseen occurs not only at the moment when the charging action terminates,as governed by the slipping of clip 10, fastened to lever 43, see Fig.3a, off of lever extremity 31, but it also occurs practicallysimultaneously with the moment when the switch shaft I 6, and controllerwheel I1 has reached its full high speed running position. The partsshown in Fig. 4 will remain in exactly the position there indicated, andcompressed air will continue to be applied through tube I05 all throughthe period that the centrifugal is spinning, and while the timer control29 is measuring off the successive time intervals and automaticallyperforming the various steps previously indicated, up to the instantwhen compressed air is finally released from timer control 29, throughtube H, to cylinder 12, which as previously indicated automaticallyrotates switch shaft I6, and controller wheel I1, counterclockwise, fromthe H position to the B position, the latter being effected when radialline b, Fig. 4, lies exactly in the vertical line Y passing through thecenter of shaft I8. I might add that the limiting position in thisdirection is when the rubber bumper I fastened to the rear of wheel I1by bracket I 2|, bumps against the stop surface I22 of stop member I23,which is securely bolted to the front face 8', of the switch box, bymeans of bolts I24, see Figs. 4 and 5. During this automatic swing- 'ingof control wheel I1 from its H to its B position,

the cam hump II 8, and the tripper pin I I8, are of course carriedaround counterclockwise with wheel I1. Before the full B position isreached,

the cam hump II6 has taken up its dotted line position 6', as shown inFig. 4, and since the cam hump has fully receded from under roller 32 oflever 93, the lever 90 would naturally drop at its left hand end (ifotherwise unrestrained), and this would permit lever I03 to drop awayfrom under valve stem III, and close valve II2, which, according to thepreviously described valve action, would exhaust the compressed airbackwardsfrom the timer 29 through tube I05 and valve II2, therebypermitting the timer parts in timer 29 to instantly reset themselves totheir initial position as previously described. It is im- .dicated inconnection with Figs.

portant however that these timer parts should not so reset themselvesprior to the moment when cylinder I2 has 'fully swung controller wheelII tothe B position, because if such resetting occurred a littleprematurely, so that the compressed air through tube II was not held oncylinder I2 till the'latter has fully rotated wheel I] to its complete Bposition, the latter might never reach there, and the brake may never befully set against brake drum 9 for promptly stopping the centrifugal, inthe manner previously in- 1b and 10. Therefore, for the purpose of notreleasing valve stem II4, of valve II2, from the vigorous upward thrustof spring 35, until controller wheel II has reached its full B, orbraking position, the hard steel clip I of member 91', Fig. 4, byengaging the similar clip M of lever 00, holds the left hand end of thislever 90 in its position indicated in Fig. 4, irrespective of the factthat the cam hump I I6 has rotated away from under roller 92, and hastaken up its dotted line position at 6'. In other words, after this camhump has withdrawn its support from roller32, the spring 95 neverthelessdoes not force the left end of lever 80 downward to release valve stemII4, because clip I00 of member 91', prevents this. However,

- obviously slips out from under clip 91, and then,

when wheel I I has just about reached its full B position, lever 90falls, and by thus releasing and .dropping lever I03, the support istaken away from the bottom of valve stem I Il,to thereby close valve II2 and automatically res t the timer parts in the cycle timer 29 totheir initial position. Member 91' therefore insures that this resettingoccurs never prematurely, but only when and as the full B position ofwheel H is reached, which also insures that the brake toggle lever I isfully set to hold the brake in its on position. until wheel I1 is againrotated to its L position, the. When, at the beginning of the nextcycle, this wheel I1 is again rotated to its L position, the variouslevers and parts shown in Fig. 4 will have been reset to the positionswhich they are shown to occupy in this figure, and the interactions ofthe respective parts will be repeated as previously described.

For the purpose of referring to another coaction of the parts notpreviously described, I wouldnow like to revert to Fig. 3, and to thatportion of the previous description where it was recited that at thetermination of the charging, the spring I9 causes shoulder 62' of member82,

to engage member 83 for opening valve 46, by

through tube 81 into the bottom portion of cylinder I2. which cylinderthereupon pulls switch shaft t6, and controller wheel II, from its L toits H, or high speed running position. If shoulder 82' however, were notnow in some way released from member 83, this would hold valve 46constantly open, under action of spring 13, and many undesirableconsequences might happen. For instance, the air being constantly on thelower side of piston I3, would vigorously and forcefully hold controllerwheel II on its H position, and if the centrifugal basket, as frequentlyoccurs, should then begin to buck and throw itself around in curbing 3,due to uneven loading, or load disir.bu':ion in the basket, it would bevery difllcult for the attendant to stop the centrifugal by returningwheel II manually from its H to itsB position, because the compressedair under piston I3, in cylinder I2, would vigorously oppose thisaction. In some way, it is therefore necessary to kick off shoulder 82',of member 82, from mem-- ber 83, in the container 35, Fig. 3, in orderto release'valve stem 86 and close valve 46, which will release thecompressed air from under piston I3, as previously described. Thiskick-off action is accomplished as follows: When compressed airenergizes tube I05, by virtue of wheel Il having reached its H position,as previously described, a supplementary tube I05, Fig. 1, branches oilfrom the same'at the T I30. This tube I05, as is best seen in Figs. 3and 3b, enters the kickoff cylinder I3 I, the latter passing through asuitable aperture in the top wall of container 35, and being verticallysupported by a set screw I32, which passes through boss 35' which formsan integral part of container 35, as best indicated in Fig. 3b.Compressed air being admitted to the top of cylinder I3I, through tube I05 obviously pushes plunger I33 downward against spring I34, untiltheshoulder I35 on piston rod- I36, bumps against the bottom cylinder headI36, which acts as a stop limiting the downward movement of the piston.As indicated in Fig. 3, this piston rod I36, during its down stroke,butts against the top of shoulder 82, of member 82, and this member.

being free to rotate on pin 8I, does so rotate in a counterclockwisedirection under the influence and pressure from piston rod I36, and inview of this limited movement, shoulder 82 slips down and clears thebottom projecting lip of member 83, thus fully releasing member 83 fromthe pressure of spring I9. Member 83 thereupon falls away in acounterclockwise direction, from under valve stem 86, the member .83coming to its normal position of rest against stop pin 85 as previouslydescribed. By thus freeing valve stem 86, the valve 46 instantly closes,and within a fraction of a second after cylinder 12 had rotated, thecontroller wheel IT to its H position, the compressed air is releasedfrom under piston I3, through tube 81 and valve 66, as previouslydescribed, and the cylinder I2 being thus freed from compressed air, theattendant could at the next moment, with utmost ease, turn thecontroller Wheel II from its H position to its B, or braking position,to stop the centrifugal, because cylinder I2 does not now oppose thisaction. In other words, the previously indicated danger that theattendant could not stop the centrifugal if the basket bucked, is whollyeliminated by the action of this kick-oil cylinder I3I. At the end ofthe cycle, when the air is again exhausted from tube I05, in mannerpreviously indicated, the compressed air above piston I33, in cylinder I3|, will obviously also be exhausted therefrom through trieve upward,under the influence of spring lit.

when this occurs, member 82 will be free to rotate back to its properposition, clockwise about pin 8i, this rotation occurring because theright hand end of member 82 is heavily weighted to normally cause thisclockwise movement around its supp rting pin ti.

Before concluding this description, I would like to refer briefly to adetail illustrated in Fig. is. In this figure is shown charging spout2t, and the cover cap 22 in its lowest position closing the mouth 20' ofthe spout, so that no material passes out of same. When this cover capis lowered into this position by the closing levers, or links, itfrequently occurs that syrup or other liquor leaks out of the joint, andfor the purpose ofpreventing this leakage from mussing the curb andcentrifugal too much, it is customary to put a drip pan I49 immediatelybelow the mouth 20' of spout 2t, this drip pan being pivotally mountedat I", on the curbing top 3'. In ordinary manual operation ofcentrifugals, the attendant cleans out this drip pan each time that hemanually charges the centrifugal, but in the automatic charging it isdesirable to provide for this action automatically, and this I do asfollows. A fairly heavy counterweight I42 is fastened across the bottomof the drip pan at its forward end, and from link I43, pivoted at I4 3,which link is associated with cover cap 22 for lifting and lowering thelatter, I arrange a leaf spring IE5 firmly attached to the forward endof link M3, by fastenings Md. The rear end I45 of this leaf spring, inthe lowermost position of link I43, presses quite hard against the rearof drip pan I 46 as indicated in Fig. 1e. with this arrangement, whencover 22 is in its lowermost position, closing the charging spout, thedrip pan is held in the full line position because of spring I45pressing against the rear of the drip pan, and any drippings that leakout from the joint between the spout and cover cap 22, will collect inthis drip pan. However, when cover cap 22 is lifted, at the beginning ofthe next cycle, the link I48 and stiff leaf spring I45 rises with it,and the rear of the drip pan being thus released from spring I45, thedrip pan tilts over to its dotted line position I40, as shown in Fig.16, this tilting being induced by the counterweight I42. In

this tilted position the collected syrup, or other liquor, thatpreviously leaked into the drip pan will flow out, and the drip pan willin this way keep itself clean. Upon the next closing of the cover cap22, by lowering it, spring I48 will again contact with the rear of thedrip pan, and put it back to its full line position shown in Fig. 1e, inwhich position the leakage will again collect in this drip pan, and theoperations will automatically continue as just described, withoutrequiring attention from the attendant.

Fig. 1d also illustrates how I adjust the degree of opening of cover cap22, for opening the mouth of the spout by various amounts. As previouslyindicated, this cover cap is lifted by raising lever 2|, and on thefront part of the curbing cap 2', I fasten the adjusting fixture I",shown in Fig. 1d. A simple form for this fixture consists of twouprights iii and IE2, between which the lever 2| is free to raise andlower. These uprights are provided at fairly close intervals, with aseries of registering holes I52, and through any pair of these holes Ipass the stop pin I 54. when the mixture that flows from spout 22 isvery heavy and thick, so that it flows aromas out slowly, I put pin ltdthrough one of the uppermost ofsholes Itll, which permits lever H to belifted practically to its maximum amount before being arrested bycontact with this stop pin lit. This, in other words, permits maximumopening of cover cap 22, ofi the spout 2t, and because of this maximumopening the mixture flows into the basket fairly fast even though it isheavy and somewhat stifl. 0n the other hand, when the mixture is of verylight constituency, and flows very freely, I change the stop pin it fromthe upper holes, to a pair oi lower holes, so that lever 2i, and itsconnected cover cap 22, will not be lifted so high, and the i'reeflowing mixture will be thereby restrained, and

will not flow too quickly and spatter over every thing. In the previousmanual charging oi centrifugals, the men instinctively took care of thisby only lifting the lever 2i sufiiciently to suit the differentconstituencies of mixture w encountered, but with the automatic chargingin= volved in this invention, I find it highly desirable to add to thegeneral combination. of parts, this adjustable limit stop for adjustingthe amount by which the spout is opened, to suit the differentconsistency of material from time to tim charged from the spout into thebasket.

From the previous description it is thought that a comprehensive view ofthis invention will be obtained, and in conclusion I wish to againemphasize that extensive modifications of the equipment can be madewithout departing from the spirit of my invention, which is not limitedexcept by the recitals and limitations included in the several appendedclaims.

As previously indicated, the drive for some kinds of centrifugals hasonly one speed, and not a high and low speed as described above. In thiscase, I would like to explain as an illustration of the followingoperation, that the single speed for the drive could obviouslybeobtained when wheel I? or its equivalent, is on a position equivalentto the L position shown in Figures l and 4. Also this single speed couldhe maintained with member I! located anywhere between the L and Hposition shown in these figsures. Under these circumstances, theequipment illustrated would start the centrifugal accelerat ing towardsits normal single speed, when the starting member is placed on positionequivalent to L in Fig. 4, and all the previously described operationscould then be realized exactly as described, up to the point where theautomatic closing of the charging member 22 would auto matically, asdescribed, swing member I1 clockwise from a position equivalent to L, toa position equivalent to H. The speed controller 2, being of the singlespeed type, however, this last mentioned movement would not set themechanism onto a higher speed than previously, but would keep thecentrifugal running only under the same speed conditions as at L, but,nevertheless, the action of automatically putting the centrifugal underthe influence of the cycle timer control 22, as previously described,will occur at the moment, or very close thereto, when the chargingaction ceases, as based on the closing of the charging member 22.

I claim;

1. In combination, a rotatable centrifugal, a charging spout andcharging member for same, automatic mechanism for automaticallytermihating the charging action when a pre-determined volumetricallymeasured volume of charge has been admitted to the centrifugal, a cyclecentrifugal for timing the'cycle of same, and

means interconnected with said centrifugal and said cycle timercontrolfor automatically startber for same, of a cylinder connected with saidcharging member for operating it, automatic charging control mechanismincluding a. thickness measuring shoe moveably mounted in relation tosaid centrifugal, interconnections between said shoe and said cylinderfor closing said charging member and terminating said charging actionwhen the wall thickness of the charge admitted to said centrifugal hasshifted said thickness measuring shoe to a pre-determined position,cycle timer control mechanism co-operatively associated with saidcentrifugal for automatically timing and actuating portions of saidcentrifugal mechanism at respective time periods to automaticallyimpress a series of timed cycle steps upon said centrifugal, and meansfor starting said cycle timercontrol mechanism to measure time the lastsaid means being influenced by the movement of said shoe to itsaforesaid predetermined position to thereupon start said cycle timerapproximately at the moment when said chargcharging member to terminatethe charging action when the thickness of wall of the charged materialadmitted to the basket has moved said thickness shoe to a pre-determinedposition, and means cooperatively. associated with said thicknessmeasuring shoe and influenced thereby for automatically shifting saidcentrifugal drive mechanism from its low speed to its high speedposition when the charging action is terminated under the influence ofsaid thickness measuring shoe.

- 4. The combination with a rotatable centrifu gal basket high and lowspeed driving mechanism and also having a basket, a charging spout, acharging member for same, an automatic cycle timer controlco-operatively associated with said centrifugal, automatic mechanismincluding a cylinder for opening and closing said charging member, athickness measuring shoe moveably mounted to measure the thickness ofcharge ad-. mitted to said basket, valve mechanism interconnectedbetween said thickness measuring shoe and said cylinder for openingsaidcharging memher when said shoe is moved to one position and,

for automatically closing said charging member to terminate thecharging'action when the thickness of wall of the charged materialadmitted to the basket has moved said thickness measuring shoe to apre-determined position, and means cooperatively associated with saidthickness meas uring shoe and influenced thereby for automaticallyshifting said centrifugal drive mechanism from its low speed to its highspeed position, and for also starting said cycle timer control tomeasure time for the centrifugal cycle operations when the chargingaction is terminated under the influence of said thickness measuringshoe. 5. In combination, a rotatable centrifugal, two speed drive forsame, automatic cycle timer control co-operatively associated with saidcentrifugal to automatically stop the same after a predetermined periodof time, valve mechanism cooperatively associated with said drivemechanism and with said cycle timer control to start the latter upon itstiming action when said centrifugal drive mechanism is moved to its highspeed running position and to automatically release and re-set saidcycle timer control from said centrifugal when said centrifugal is autoymatically stopped .by said cycle timer control.

to stop the centrifugal by setting the brake of same, an automatic cycletimer control associated with said centrifugal to automatically stop thesame by setting the brake after a pre-determined period of time, valvemechanism co-operatively associated with said drive mechanism and withsaid cycle timer control to start the latter upon its timing action whensaid speed controller is moved to the position where it drives thecentrifugal and to automatically release and re-set said cycle timercontrol from said centrifugal when said centrifugal is automaticallystopped by said cycle timer control having shifted said speed controllerto the position where it sets the brake for stopping the centrifugal.

'7. The combination with automatic charging means for a centrifugal,including a charging spout and a charging member, and automatic meansfor moving the latter, of a drip pan mounted beneath the mouth of saidcharging spout and adapted to catch the drip that leaks from said spoutafter said charging member has closed the same, and means.interconnected between said charging member and said drip pan forreleasing said drip pan when the charging member is opened, and forretrieving said drip pan to its drip collecting position when saidcharging member is closed.

8. In combination with automatic charging means for centrifugals havinga charging spout and charging member, and automatic means for movingthelatter, of a pivotally mounted drip pan beneath the mouth of saidcharging spout and adapted to catch the drip that leaks from said spoutafter the charging member closes the same, and means interconnectedbetween said charging member and said drip pan for releasing said drippan and permitting it to swing on its pivotal mounting to position whereit can discharge its drip when said charging member is opened to chargethe centrifugal, and for retrieving said drip pan to its drip collectingposition when said charging member is closed.

9. In automatic charging mechanism for centrifugals, the combination ofa valve for opening and closing the charging spout of said cen-' closethe second said valve upon shifting said drive control mechanism ontohigh speed position. ,10. A loading control mechanism for a sugarcentrifugal comprising a delivery conduit, a out.

off gate, means for opening said gate, and means controlled according tothe amount of material delivered by said conduit to close said gate, andmeans coordinated with the gate closing control means for effecting thesetting of the centrifugal driving means to high speed position.

11. A loading control mechanism for a sugar centrifugal comprising adelivery conduit, a cut off gate, means for opening said gate, and meanscontrolled according to the amount of material delivered by said conduitto close said gate, means coordinated with the gate closing controlmeans for effecting the setting of the centrifugal driving means to highspeed position, a cycle timer, cooperatively associated with saidcentrifugal for automatically timing and actuating portions of saidcentrifugal mechanism at respective time periods controlled by saidtimer, for automatically impressing. a series of timed cycle steps uponsaid centrifugal, and means for starting said cycle timer to measuretime, the last said means being interconnected with said gate closingcontrol means to start the cycle timer, at approximately the moment whensaid gate is closed to terminate the charging action.

12. In a centrifugal machine, a rotating basket, driving and brakingmeans therefor, a delivery conduit for feeding material to said basket,a cut of! gate for said conduit, means controlled according to theamount of material delivered by said conduit to close said gate, meanscoordinated with said gate closing control means for effecting thesetting of the centrifugal driving means to high speed position, timingmeans adapted to cut off said drive and apply said brake after apredetermined period, and means coordinated with said gate closingcontrol means to start the operation of said timing means atapproximately the moment when said gate is closed to terminate thecharging action.

13. The combination with a rotatable centrifugal basket and a charginggate therefor, of automatic gate opening and closing means, powercontrol means cooperatively connected with said automatic gate openingand closing, means to effect actuation of the latter for opening andclosing said gate, a pivotally mounted shaft, a thickness measuring shoeassociated with said shaft and adapted to contact with the upbuildingcharge in said centrifugal basket during the charging thereof, and alever fastened to said shaft to rotate therewith and also free to have asupplementary movement at right angles to the rotation of said shaft,the said lever through actuation in the path of its said supplementarymovement being adapted to actuate said power control means to open thecharging gate, and said thickness measuring shoe through contact withthe upbuilding charge in said basket being adapted to swing said leverto actuate said power control means to effect the closing of saidcharging gate.

14. The combination with a rotatable centrifugal basket and a charginggate therefor, of a cylinder cooperatively associated with said charginggate to co-operate in effecting the opening and closing thereof, acontrol valve connected with said cylinder, said control valve when openbeing adapted to supply a pressure fluid to said cylinder to open saidcharging gate and said control valve when closed being adapted torelease said pressure fluid from said cylinder thereby to co-operate ineffecting the closing of said charging gate, a thickness measuring shoemountaroaosa said spring controlled lever being adapted to open saidcontrol valve and hold it open by energy of said spring to therebyautomatically open said charging rate by supplying a pressure fluid tosaid cylinder, said thickness measuring shoe being cooperativelyconnected with said spring controlled lever to move the latter to eflectclosing of said control valve to thereby co-operate in ctiecting theclosing of said charging gate when the upbuilding charge in said baskethas moved said thickness measuring shoe to a predetermined position.

15. In combination, a rotatable centrifugal basket, a charging gatetherefor, power actuated gate opening and closing means for saidcharging gate, power control means co-operatively connectedwith saidgate opening and closing means to supply power thereto and to releasepower therefrom to thereby co-operate in the opening and closing of saidcharging gate, a movably mounted thickness measuring shoe in said basketadapted to contact with and to be moved by the up-building charge insaid basket, a. manually operable lever mounted to have movement in twodifferent planes, said lever when moved in one of said planes beingadapted to engage said power control means and to actuate the latter tosupply power to said gate opening means to thereby open said charginggate, said lever when moved in the second of said planes being adaptedto be disengaged from said power control means to thereby effect theclosing of said charging gate, and means co-operating with saidthickness measuring shoe and with said lever for moving the latter inthe second said plane to disengage said lever from said power controlmeans when said thickness measuring shoe is moved to a predeterminedposition by contact with the Lip-building charge in said basket.

16. In combination, a rotatable centrifugal basket, a charging gatetherefor, power actuated gate opening and closing means for saidcharging gate, shiftable power control means having a power releaseposition and a power supply posttion, means co-operatively connectingsaid power control means with said power actuated gate opening andclosing means, said power control means being organized to be normallyself-retrieving to its said power release position where it releasespower from said gate opening and closing means to close said charginggate, but said power control means being shiftable against its saidnormally self-retrieving action to its said power supply position whereit supplies power to said gate opening and closing means to open saidcharging gate, manually operable means for shifting said power controlmeans to its said power supply position to thereby open said charginggate, releasable latch mechanism for retaining said power control meansin its said power supply position against its said normallyselfretrieving action to thereby retain said charging gate in its openposition, a movably mounted thickness measuring shoe adapted to contactwith and to be moved by the up-building charge in said rotatingccnirlfugal basket, means controlled by said thickness measuring shoeand co-operating with said latch mechanism for releasing said latchmechanism to free said power control means when said thickness measuringshoe is moved to a predetermined position by contact with theup-building charge in said basket, said normally self-retrieving powercontrol means thereupon retrieving to itsv power release position toclose said charging gate.

17. In combination, a rotatable centrifugal basket, a charging gatetherefor, a cylinder associated with said charging gate and adapted toopen said charging gate when a pressure medium is supplied to saidcylinder and adapted to co-operate in closing said charging gate byrelease of said pressure medium from said cylinder, shiftable valvemechanism having a pressure medium release position and a pressuremedium supply position and connections from said valve mechanism to saidcylinder, said valve mechanism being normally self-retrieving to itssaid release position where it releases said pressure medium from saidcylinder to thereby close said charging gate,-but said valve mechanismbeing shiftable against its said normally self-retrieving action to itssaid supply position where it supplies the pressure medium to saidcylinder to open said charging gate, manually operable means forshifting said valve mechanism to its said supply position to open saidcharging gate, releasable latch mechanism for retaining said valvemechanism in its said supply position against its said normallyself-retrieving action to thereby retain said charging gate in its openposition, a movabiy mounted thickness measuring shoe adapted to contactwith and to be moved by the up-building charge in said rotatablecentrifugal basket, means controlled by said thickness measuring shoeand co-operating with said latch mecha-' nism for releasing said latchmechanism to thereby free said normally self-retrieving valve mechanismwhen said thickness measuring shoe is moved to a predetermined positionby contact with the up-building charge in said centrifugal basket, saidself-retrieving valve mechanism thereupon retrieving to its releaseposition to close said charging gate.

ROBERT ALEXANDER STEPS. I

